Daily Crave

First Look: Zauber Brewing Co.’s new digs

After months of construction, Zauber Brewing Co. is almost ready to open its new location in the former Reed Arts Space in Grandview.

Until now, the only way to enjoy these locally-brewed, German-inspired beers was through growler fills at its previous warehouse-like location, or on tap at area bars.

But now, Zauber fans can grab a seat at one of the long beer-hall-style tables with benches, sample one of 14 beers on tap—a mix of Zauber brews and guest taps with an emphasis on local, and grab a bite at one of the regularly rotating food trucks parked out front for lunch and dinner. Keep an eye out for the occasional pop-up kitchen offerings here, too, with beer-friendly noshes like pretzels and pizza.

At Zauber, owner and brewer Geoff Towne tinkers with Belgian and German style beers, putting what he calls “the American spin” on these classic styles. “We’re Americanizing it in a way to make it approachable,” he says. He also adds a sense of humor to beer names, like the “well proportioned” Buxom Blonde, the traditional Myopic Red ale and the porter-meets-schwartzbier Portergeist.

In addition to Zauber’s beers at the bar, those who want to grab-and-go can head to the bar’s adjoining growler room, which offers 10 taps for growler fills, as well as plenty of Zauber merchandise.

Come late February, Towne hopes to have full brewery production in the back of the building, with a small pilot room where he can test new beers. In the spring, he’ll add a patio along Fifth Avenue, right next to the food truck hook-up. And by this time next year, Zauber should be bottling or canning its beers for retail sales

Zauber will host a soft opening of the bar on Jan. 4 starting at 4 p.m. Food truck Aromaku will be serving food. Initial hours are planned for 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. For updates, follow the brewery on Twitter at @ZauberBrewing.